"Terra"

Julian Lynch's 2010 breakout, Mare, was in essence a vibe record-- the kind of patient LP you needed to sit with for half an hour or so to soak up all its mood and texture. For the eponymous track off his upcoming album, Terra, Lynch evokes a similar atmosphere while taking a step toward more structured pop. There are several of the elements we expect from his work-- a worldly approach to sounds that stems from his interest in ethnomusicology and a loose, almost jammy feel-- but also the kind of sticky hook he tended to sidestep before. Using his reedy falsetto and insistent guitar strumming, Lynch paddles through the song's soft rock and synthy folk passages, building melody easily along the way. Seemingly at-odds instruments like saxophone and hand-drum pitter patter share space, but each is employed in finding a comfortable groove that rides out until song's end. It's basically Lynch's signature earthy ambiance nudged in a cleaner, slightly more accessible direction, which suggests he's growing with his audience and taking a more inclusive approach with Terra. We're curious to hear more.